blog
As of March 10th, 2024 - this is our rough plan for our road trip to Ingram, Texas community page for the total solar eclipse of April 8
I used this ChatGPT-prompt-for-road-trip-planning-assistant and asked it to help me with the route. It was really good at being able to adjust things when I asked it to. The maps sections I went through and added by hand with screen shots from google maps.
We have not yet planned the return trip. - that will come as we head down the road.
Day 1: Seattle, WA to Spokane, WA
- Date: Saturday, March 23
- Depart: 7:00 AM
- Arrive in Spokane: 12:00 PM
- Distance: 280 miles
- Driving Time: 5 hours
- Activity: Visit relatives for 6 hours.
- Overnight: Dispersed camping in Colville National Forest or Riverside State Park.
- Depart Spokane: Next day.
Day 2: Spokane, WA to Boise, ID
- Date: Sunday, March 24
- Depart Spokane: 7:00 AM
- Arrive in Boise: 4:00 PM (with a short break)
- Distance: 380 miles
- Driving Time: 7 hours
- Activity: Visit friends for 6 hours.
- Overnight: Boise National Forest or a nearby campground.
- Depart Boise: Next day.
Day 3: Boise, ID to Twin Falls, ID
- Date: Monday, March 25
- Depart Boise: 9:00 AM
- Arrive in Twin Falls: 11:30 AM
- Distance: 128 miles
- Driving Time: 2.5 hours
- Activity: Explore Shoshone Falls and the Perrine Bridge.
- Overnight: Dispersed camping in the Sawtooth National Forest or a local campground.
Day 4: Twin Falls, ID to Sandy, UT
- Date: Tuesday, March 26
- Depart Twin Falls: 9:00 AM
- Arrive in Sandy: 4:00 PM
- Distance: 220 miles
- Driving Time: 4 hours (with breaks and lunch)
- Activity: Rest and visit family or explore the area around Sandy.
- Overnight: Dispersed camping in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest or a campground near Sandy.
Day 5: Sandy, UT to Zion National Park
- Date: Wednesday, March 27
- Depart Sandy: 8:00 AM
- Arrive at Zion: 2:00 PM
- Distance: 300 miles
- Driving Time: 5 hours
- Activity: Spend the afternoon exploring Zion National Park.
- Overnight: Dispersed camping outside the park or camp within the park.
Day 6: Zion National Park (Explore)
- Date: Thursday, March 28
- Activities: Full day in Zion.
- Overnight: Same as previous night.
Day 7: Zion National Park to Flagstaff, AZ
- Date: Friday, March 29
- Depart Zion: 8:00 AM
- Arrive in Flagstaff: 1:30 PM
- Distance: 250 miles
- Driving Time: 4.5 hours
- Activity: Visit family for 8 hours.
- Overnight: Coconino National Forest or Lake Mary Campground.
Day 8: Flagstaff, AZ to Petrified Forest National Park
- Date: Saturday, March 30
- Depart Flagstaff: 8:00 AM
- Arrive at Petrified Forest: 10:30 AM
- Distance: 110 miles
- Driving Time: 2.5 hours
- Activity: Explore the park.
- Overnight: Nearby camping or continue to Santa Fe.
Day 9: Petrified Forest to Santa Fe, NM
- Date: Sunday, March 31
- Depart: Early Morning
- Arrive in Santa Fe: Early Afternoon
- Distance: 325 miles
- Driving Time: 5 hours
- Activity: Explore Santa Fe.
- Overnight: Campground or dispersed camping near Santa Fe.
Day 10: Santa Fe, NM to Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Date: Monday, April 1
- Depart Santa Fe: 7:00 AM
- Arrive at Carlsbad Caverns: 1:00 PM
- Distance: 285 miles
- Driving Time: 6 hours
- Activity: Explore the caverns.
- Overnight: Camping in the area.
Day 11: Carlsbad Caverns to Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Date: Tuesday, April 2
- Depart Carlsbad Caverns: Morning
- Arrive at Guadalupe Mountains: Morning
- Distance: 55 miles
- Driving Time: 1 hour
- Activity: Explore the park.
- Overnight: Camp in the park.
Day 12: Guadalupe Mountains to Big Bend National Park
- Date: Wednesday, April 3
- Depart Guadalupe Mountains: 7:00 AM
- Arrive at Big Bend: 11:00 AM
- Distance: 230 miles
- Driving Time: 4 hours
- Activity: Explore Big Bend.
- Overnight: Camp in the park.
Day 13 & 14: Big Bend National Park to Ingram, TX (Hill Country Arts Foundation)
- Dates: Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5
- Depart Big Bend: 7:00 AM (April 4)
- Arrive in Ingram: Early Afternoon (April 5)
- Distance: 330 miles
- Driving Time: 6 hours (over two days, with stops and sightseeing)
- Overview: Spend Thursday exploring more of Big Bend or start the journey towards Ingram, breaking the trip with an overnight stop to ensure a relaxed pace. Arrive in Ingram on Friday, April 5, to prepare for the eclipse event at HCAF.
This adjusted itinerary ensures a more relaxed pace with ample time for exploration and visits, aligning with your preference to drive between three and five hours a day and allowing for attractions and activities between destinations. Safe travels on your road trip adventure!